This page highlights the MS license requirements found in the MS Rules and Regulations Rule 4.

For greater detail, click on the Rule 4 link above.

2. If I have a license in another state, what do I need to do to become licensed in Mississippi?

Reciprocity

The Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors does not presently have an agreement of reciprocity with any other state.

An individual interested in providing counseling services in Mississippi must obtain licensure through the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors’ application process.

1.

You must complete the online application for Licensure and submit all required documentation (refer to the General Instructions and Application Checklist on pages 2-3 of the reference application ).

2.

You may request the state of your initial license issuance to copy your entire license file and forward directly to the MS LPC Board. If that file contains all the required documentation referenced in item #1, supervision verification forms, transcript, and national exam scores, these may suffice for submission of required documentation provided the documentation can be source verified and contain all pertinent information for MS LPC. If the state will not forward a copy of your license file, then you must submit the documentation directly to the MS LPC Board as required.

3.

Each State you have been licensed in must officially certify that license directly to the MS LPC Board office by completing Verification of Licensure in Other Jurisdiction (Form D).

4.

You must complete the background check form and submit to Department of Public Safety as indicate on the form. (This form can be found in the Print Forms tab of your profile)

Licensure criteria met by the applicant in other states may be honored by the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors if he/she substantially meets the requirements for licensure in the State of Mississippi. Each criterion will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. See Rule 4.8.

Licensure by Comity

For Applicants who have held an equivalent independent counseling license with at least five (5) years of professional work experience as a counselor since the date of their initial licensure shall apply for Licensure by Comity.

Applicants for Licensure by Comity shall present:

1.

Online Application
You must complete the online application for LPC, select Comity (refer to the General Instructions and Application Checklist on pages 2-3 of the reference application.

2.

License Verification from State(s)
Evidence of a valid license from another State is required for Licensure by Comity. The applicant requesting licensure by comity must be in good standing with the State in which that person holds his/her current license as a Licensed Professional Counselor or its equivalent independent counseling license. Each State you have been licensed in must also officially certify that license directly to the MS LPC Board office by completing Verification of Licensure in Other Jurisdiction (Form D).

3.

Five Year + License in Good Standing
Applicants for Licensure by Comity shall demonstrate that he/she currently holds a license with at least five (5) years of professional work experience as a counselor since the date of their initial licensure, that licensure was maintained continuously during those five (5) years and that no substantiated complaints or disciplinary action(s) have ever been taken against the licensee.

Additional Information
The Board reserves the right to accept an application for licensure by comity, to request additional information from the applicant, or reject an application for cause as governed by Mississippi laws and/or rules.

7.

License File from Other State
The applicant seeking licensure shall direct the State in which she/he is currently licensed and cause to have certified copies of the contents of his/her licensure file sent directly to the Board’s office at his/her expense.

Board Qualified Supervisors are identified by the LPC-S credential. They are sometimes referred to as BQS, but the correct credential is LPC-S. Board Qualification is a credentialing process. LPC-S is the credential that is the result of the process. To find a Board Qualified Supervisor (LPC-S), use the “Licensee Search” navigation tab on the left side of the LPC webpage. Use the “Board Qualified Supervisor (LPC-S)” link to search by license #, name, city or county.

Professional Training - Below is a link to a Board approved professional training program in supervision.

After July 1, 2008 applicants for licensure in Mississippi must be supervised by a Mississippi Qualified Supervisor (LPC-S) as approved by the Board. The required documentation for becoming a Mississippi Qualified Supervisor is listed in the APPLICATION CHECKLIST. Please refer to the Rules and Regulations, Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, Chapter 4, Section 4 for a detailed explanation. Once approved as a Mississippi Board Qualified Supervisor, all supervisors shall submit a signed copy of the contract for every active supervisee. A Supervision Reporting Log is included at this website.

A Qualified Supervisor is an LPC licensed in Mississippi who has the required experience, has trained in supervision, is a current member of a professional association, and has been approved by the board to provide supervision. Supervisors monitor the performance of an individual by providing regular, documented face-to-face consultation, guidance, and instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the supervised individual (Rules and Regulations, Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, Chapter 1, Section 4, Subsection W). Once approved all supervisors shall submit a signed copy of a contract of every active supervisee. Academic supervisors are not required to submit a contract.

If you are an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), you are required to apply to the Mississippi Board to become a Mississippi Qualified Supervisor. You may do this by providing a copy of your ACS Certificate and completing this application.

5. LPC-S supervision via Distance Professional Services

Rule 4.3.A.3. Individual and Group Supervision provided by a BQS with the LPC-S credential to Applicants who have completed the educational requirements for licensure may be provided by way of Distance Professional Services under the following criteria only:

a. The LPC-S must hold a Distance Credentialed Counselor credential from the Center for Credentialing and Education. The credential must be on file with the LPC Board office prior to initiating supervision through distance means.

b. Distance supervision sessions must be provided by means of synchronous video conferencing only. Supervision by telephone, email, chat, or other forms of communication must be reserved to only emergency communications.

c. The Supervision Agreement submitted to the LPC Board must include information explaining the use and limits of distance supervision, specify the qualifications of the LPC-S to provide distance supervision, and establish procedures for managing the failure of the video communication system.

The process of establishing an agreement with an LPC-S begins with preparing a Post-Graduate Supervisory Agreement. This online form creates your profile and uses electronic signatures between you and your supervisor to complete the agreement. Review the Instructions and then click HERE to begin the process

7. LPC Data Detail

How to Review your Data Detail

To verify renewal dates and current address on file, use "Licensee Search" on the left navigation bar, enter either your last name or your four-digit license number, and "click" search. If you need to update your address, login to your profile and make the change. Login and Profile Instructions

8. License Renewal

License renewal reminders are emailed and mailed in May of your renewal year. Please be aware, however, that failure to receive this notification does not relinquish your responsibility for timely renewal. Renewal Applications and forms must be returned to the LPC Board office PRIOR to June 30, of your renewal year, to remain Active Status and to avoid reapplication fees. This is an online process.

You will be required to login, review and update your profile information, enter Continuing Education Hours for the renewal period, and submit payment of renewal fee. Supervisors will need to complete the Supervisee Update Form. LPCs are required to have a background check every 6 (six) years. This 6 year interval is determined based on the license issue date. The background check is requested by submitting the Authorization to Release Information Form to the MS Dept. of Public Safety.

Renewal will be processed when Renewal Application, Continuing Education Hours and renewal fee are received; however, if a background check is required (see paragraph above), the Renewal is contingent upon the receipt of a clear background check by September 30, of your renewal year. If not received by that date, license status will revert to Lapsed, and you will not be licensed to practice in Mississippi.

Biennial License Renewal

License and Board Qualified Supervisor Certifications are renewed every two years (biennially).

What is the advantage of renewing my license online?

When you renew your license online, you will receive immediate confirmation that your renewal was received and processed successfully. In addition, online renewal allows you to use American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover, electronic check, or mail a check or money order to the Board office to pay.

Should I still mail in the renewal application if I renew online?

No. If you receive confirmation of a successful renewal, submission of the renewal application is not necessary.

How do I tell if my Online Renewal was successful?

You will receive a confirmation message following a successful renewal. You are encouraged to print this message for your records.

I am required to submit a background check with my renewal? Is background check due by June 30?

LPCs are required to have a background check every 6 (six) years. This 6 year interval is determined based on the license issue date. The background check is requested by submitting the Authorization to Release Information Form to the MS Dept. of Public Safety.

Renewal will be processed when Renewal Application, CEH Reporting Form, Supervisee Update Form (if applicable), and renewal fee(s) have been received; however, if a background check is required, the Renewal is contingent upon receipt of a clear background check by September 1 of the renewal year. If background check is not received by that date, license status will revert to Lapsed, and you will not be licensed to practice in Mississippi.

My employer requires a background check. May I submit a copy of that background check or must background check come from DPS?

The LPC Board currently uses the Department of Public Safety for background checks.

If your employer requires a federal background check and it was performed within the past six months, the Board would consider accepting it if it could be source verified. It would need to come directly from the provider of the background check to the Board.

Can I give my credit card information over the phone or by mail to renew my license if I do not want to use my card on the Internet?

No. The e-Renewal web site is a secure site and does not retain complete credit card information after the data is processed.

When is my renewal due if I renew online?

You are required to submit the online Renewal no later than midnight on the date the license is scheduled to expire.

What if I want to change the status of my license during renewal?

The online Renewal system will not allow you to change your status online. If you need to change your license status, you will be required to mail your request to the Board for processing.

What are the Continuing Education Hours (CEH) Requirements for renewal?

24 CE hours are needed for renewal.

6 must involve topics in professional ethics or legal issues in the delivery of counseling services

Board Qualified Supervisor (BQS) renewal coincides with LPC renewal.

A Qualified Supervisor will need to complete a minimum of one (1) hour of supervision continuing education per year; a minimum of two (2) hours per renewal period.

Hours to be reported must be for the time period since your last renewal. i.e. 2016 renewals report continuing education hours for the period July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2016.

Look for NBCC, ACA, MCA, or other approved provider number for the activity. (Refer to Rules & Regulations 6.2(C) for a complete list) Usually found at the bottom of the CEH certificate. In the Provider Status column, enter the provider and number. i.e. NBCC #4655

9. License Verification

How do I verify a Licensed Professional Counselor in MS?

To verify a MS Licensed Professional Counselor, use the "Licensee Search" in the left navigation of the website. Enter name, license number, city, or county and then "search." To request if the MS LPC has any disciplinary actions on file, submit a written verification request by mail, email, or fax on your company's form or use the Form found in the Forms section. No verifications will be given over the phone.